Are You Better Off?
- Episode aired May 2, 2013
- TV-PG
- 22m
A group of citizens organizes a Leslie Knope recall, Andy finds a positive pregnancy test outside Ron's cabin, and Tom considers a lucrative offer to sell Rent-a-Swag.A group of citizens organizes a Leslie Knope recall, Andy finds a positive pregnancy test outside Ron's cabin, and Tom considers a lucrative offer to sell Rent-a-Swag.A group of citizens organizes a Leslie Knope recall, Andy finds a positive pregnancy test outside Ron's cabin, and Tom considers a lucrative offer to sell Rent-a-Swag.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Tom tells his investors that someone wants to buy his company "Rent-a-Swag," April calls Jerry "Gary," which is Jerry's actual name.
- GoofsThe Indiana constitution does not allow for recall elections. You can't remove any Indiana elected official with a recall election.
- Quotes
Kathryn Pinewood: Now you want to rob our children of fun by attacking the Sweetum school lunch program. Literally taking candy away from babies.
Leslie Knope: Those school lunches are incredibly unhealthy. You somehow convinced the school board that napkins are vegetables.
Kathryn Pinewood: They're made from plants.
- ConnectionsReferences Meet the Press (1947)
The use of Jamm, and the ongoing strength of the characters continues to make it work, and the writing is best when it plays to them rather than the relationship threads which are here. Throwaway character lines from the stronger characters are consistently funny, and some of the character arcs are enjoyable (eg seeing April be more than her previous character), and for sure there is enough in this fifth season to keep it funny and entertaining. The performances are a big part of this, with Poehler, Jones, Offerman, Plaza, Pratt, and others all continuing their strong ensemble work – O'Heir, Retta and others may have more one-note characters, but they are very good at them. Glaser's Jamm is fun throughout the season, and generally the various guests stars are good, even if some of the very big names is more about having politicians showing up.
There is a bit too much comfort about this season, and too many threads which seem obvious and a little pleased with themselves, but generally it works well, and has plenty of good laughs, however it doesn't bode too well for the next two seasons when it is starting to lean very much in this direction.
- bob the moo
- Jun 23, 2015